Iceland - True Raw Beauty

As like with other normal South African citizens we are restricted to which countries we can enter on our South African passport without requiring a visa.  So as soon as my Residence Card came through, Dillan and I immediately started looking at ideas for our "First Real Trip".

Sure we had some inclination of where we would want to go - Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Norway; to name a few...  Not once did Iceland come up in our countless discussions over glasses of wine, cups of coffee or mind-numbing hours of travel-daydreaming...  Sure, we always wanted to go to Norway to try and see the Northern Lights, but never did we consider Iceland.

Dillan came across a 3 Nights Northern Lights City Break package on Iceland Air's website via Iceland  Travel so we did a bit of research and decided to go for it!  Then the fun began....

Here we were, two Durbanites not even fully acclimatised to the weather in London wanting to go to ICEland!  Ha ha.  For those who do not know where/what Durban is - it is a city on the east coast of South Africa where your seasons range between mild, hot and "I'm dying!".  Many hours were spent searching the web for advice on what to pack, what to buy and what to wear.  We went into this trip with the "I'd rather be hot than freezing my ass off" mentality; which in the end paid off!

When the day finally arrived for us to leave, we were like little kids before Christmas.  The weather forecast mentioned that it would snow - physically SNOW - which made me go out of my mind even more as I had seen snow before but never literally seen it snow. 

Iceland Air

Iceland Air, the only airline that flies into Iceland, was absolutely superb! They were very efficient, the airport staff were very friendly and the air hostesses were just so helpful and beautiful!  After a short 3 hour flight we touched down at the Keflavik International Airport and I couldn't believe my luck - it was snowing!!  

Blue Lagoon

Our coach picked us up and dashed us off to the Blue Lagoon.  What an experience!  I would definitely recommend it.  The facilities are state of the art and it is a good idea to buy your tickets online.  We bought the Comfort Tickets which meant we didn't have to worry about towels or gowns etc. and this is definitely the way to go;  you also get a free drink which you collect from the bar right in the middle of the pools. There is something quite magical about floating around in the warm luxurious pools, sipping on your drink whilst your surroundings are totally covered in snow.  

Hotel

Afterwards we got taken to our hotel, Reykjavik Lights. It is only rated a 3 star but we thought it was more than adequate. The room was relatively small but it's not like we were planning on spending that much time in it so it really was not a problem.   The hotel does not have its own restaurant but there is a pizza restaurant directly outside the hotel. 

Pearl Tour

The next morning we were picked up by Sven from Mountaineers of Iceland for our Pearl Tour.  The first part of our tour included a trip to Þingvellir National Park, which was absolutely beautiful!

The second leg of our trip involved the world's only geysir that spouts hot water.  It really was something else.  Ha ha ha, a little on the stinky side because of all the sulphur but so worth it.  

After this we had some yummy lunch and then made our way to the most exciting part of our day trip - the snowmobiling on Iceland's second largest glacier!  Oh!  My!  Soul!  What an exhilarating experience!!  When you arrive at "base camp" you're kitted out with a wool jumpsuit (which you pop over your normal clothes), a balaclava and a helmet.  Dillan and I had such an amazing time!  He rode for the first half, stopped to take photos and admire the exquisite beauty and then I rode back.  It really was so much fun and highly recommended! 

  

                                                        

For the final part of the trip we went to Gullfoss (Iceland's most famous waterfall).  Wow!  What a place!  Truly magical!

The lamb soup at the cafe was absolutely delicious and ensured you were warm from the inside...

Reykjavik

On the Saturday we didn't have anything planned besides to explore Reykjavik.  We bought our Reykjavik Welcome Card from the Hilton Hotel's Tourist Information Stand and set off. This card offers free transport on the local buses, discounts to certain museums and even discounts at certain restaurants.  We tried to fit in as much as possible and luckily managed to get to experience:

• National Museum of Iceland
• 871 Settlement

Dillan and I soon realised we're not really the museum'ey type of people ;)

• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

This is the famous lamb hot dog.  To be honest, I couldn't wrap my head around a lamb flavoured hot dog.  The locals absolutely love it though.

• Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Wow - this is one of thee most beautifully built buildings I've seen in a long time.

• Sun Voyager

A famous landmark that Reykjavik is known for.

• Hallgrimskirkja Church

A beautiful church that you can see from almost anywhere in Reykjavik.

• C is for Cookie

A very quaint little coffee shop that makes the most delicious coffees and treats! The barrister was very friendly.

Nothern Lights Tour

On Saturday night we got picked up for our Northern Lights tour and boy were we excited! How absolutely amazing would it be to be able to say "I've seen the Northern Lights!"?  We were totally kitted out as we didn't want to be grumpy because we were cold.  

We wore:

• Pure Merino Wool Base Layer Top with a long sleeve T-shirt over
• Pure Merino Wool Base Layer Bottoms
• Windproof/Waterproof Mid Layer Top
• Windproof/Waterproof Sprayway Trousers
• The North Face Gortex Windstopper Neck Gaiter 
• Pure Merino Wool Thermal Socks
• Wool Lined Walking Boots
• Wool Beanie
• Gloves
• The North Face Womens Parka Down Jacket
• Also made use of heat packs that react and warm up when exposed to body temperature

Now you might think this was quite excessive but I feel the cold very easily and we were also standing in 40 km/hr + winds.

We were taken to a golf course outside Reykjavik where we waited for about an hour until they appeared.  Unfortunately it was overcast so we weren't able to see them that clearly and they weren't being very "active" but we managed to see the beautiful green shades moving across the sky.  I felt so incredibly blessed at that particular moment.  Something I will never forget.

Unfortunately Sunday arrived way too quickly and we had to pack up and get ready to get back to reality.  Even though we didn't want to leave, I just love the saying "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."  Iceland, the little bit I got to see of you absolutely amazed me and I would love to explore you some more.  Who knows, maybe one summer you will find me gazing at some other beauty you have to offer.

Happiness Is

So I have finally decided to start blogging and here's my first attempt.

Spring in London is absolutely beautiful!!  I can't think of any other season that celebrates change as much as spring.  Why am I so interested in seeing change?  Well just over six months ago my amazing fiance and I took a big risk and left our beautiful home, South Africa, to move to London. . . .  The reason why this was so risky is because we were very well settled, had stable jobs, a lovely home, our family and friends are there as well as the fact that we aren't what you'd call "spring chickens".   Nonetheless, we took a chance and boy oh boy, all I can say is that all the blood, sweat and tears have been worth it.

"You won't find jobs!"  "You guys clearly haven't done your homework on the economy in the UK!"  These were the types of statements we had flung at us when we announced our decision to move.  Ha!  Dillan found his job within two weeks of arriving, and I landed mine within three weeks.  "Suck it!" is what I proclaimed to those hypocrites! 

We were also extremely lucky to have friends based here whom graciously welcomed us to stay with them.  Needless to say it was extremely helpful and allowed us to get partially established (finding jobs etc.) before having to find our own place.  One thing our research didn't highlight was what a painstaking job it is to find a place to rent in London.  Wow!  We finally found our cosy little flat in a lovely suburb in the Kingston area.  We have been here a good few months now and are so delighted we chose this place!  For us, it is brilliantly located - it's got just the right amount of residential influence; it's close to the hustle and bustle of the shopping mecca, Kingston; you're a hop skip and a jump from spending a lovely afternoon strolling along the Thames; Bushy Park and Hampton Court are literally across the road; so yes - we couldn't have asked for anything better really!

One of the main reasons we decided to move to the UK is to have access to travel.  In the short time that we've been here we have been to Wales, Iceland, Isle of Wight and we already have trips booked to Rome, France and Barcelona!  Watch this space!

Anyways, let me be off. .  I'll be back soon, hopefully you will be too.